The Gifts Of Storytelling

A friend sent me an invitation to join a storytelling writing group, facilitated by a mutual acquaintance Dr. Marie Olwell, whose sister had written a book on this specialized form of writing. Intrigued, I signed up without any preconceived notions.

In a personal storytelling writing group, your thoughts are directed to past events. These past events are described by each writer with the intent to evoke images and feelings. Ghosts of the past can and do emerge. Framing memories can dramatically alter one's perceptions. A "story" is a vehicle for individuals to interpret past experiences as positive or negative. Writing a story about past events is transformative, in that it enables the writer to "reframe" what the experience means to him or her. It always begins with a writing "prompt."

Some form of writing group has been a part of my existence for the last 15 years. Each group had its own distinct flavor, but they were all similar in their intent to allow individuals to criticize others' work and have their own criticized in turn. I have found the writing group experience to be often helpful, sometimes painful, and every once in a while, brutal.

I was hoping the new storytelling writing group was much of the former, and very little of the latter two. With an air of expectation and a dash of excitement, I walked into the conference room. Four women, Barbara, Diane, Marie, and Mary were seated around a long tea-colored table. Dr. Marie, the facilitator, was the only woman I knew, but the others were smiling in a welcoming and friendly way.

Oh, I was excited as I sat down. Not only were the chairs comfortable but they had wheels, so I could move around a bit if I needed to. This may be the best writing group yet, I thought to myself. Never underestimate the power of wheeled chairs and friendly people.

We began the traditional way, by introducing ourselves and sharing a few personal details, and then Marie asked us to share our expectations of this group experience. She explained to us that this was a writing, not a therapy group. The intent was to share our stories, but no criticizing would be involved. Hmmm...this was going to be a very different kind of group.

Now where did that skeptical inner voice come from? She was yelling in my head, “Are you crazy? You don’t want to share your life stories; besides, you don’t do this kind of writing. You’re gonna be sorry.” Pesky thing that she is, always a downer, telling me I cannot or do not want to do something. I ignored her — well, for the most part.

Article Author: Dr. Juliann Mitchell, PhD

Dr. Juliann Mitchell, PhD. is a liscensed psychologist who practices online at: http://www.drjuliannmitchell.com She is author of three books: Rape Of The Innocent, From Victims To Survivors, and The Dynamics Of Crisis Intervention. …

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